Canal Park getting face-lift; fans getting new seats, views, food

Akron RubberDucks owner Ken Babby talks about the progress of the major renovations at Canal Park for the upcoming 2014 Eastern League season, during a news conference at the park. The approximate $3.5 million additions include a new year-round restaurant and new ( in photos on left) picnic and premium areas in left and right field. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron RubberDucks General Manager and COO Jim Pfander talks about the new year-round restaurant, that has be named The Game, and the progress of the other major renovations at Canal Park for the upcoming 2014 Eastern League season, during a news conference at the park. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, reflected a window at the right, talks about the impact of the major renovations at Canal Park for the upcoming 2014 Eastern League season, during a news conference at the park. The approximate $3.5 million additions include a new year-round restaurant and new picnic and premium areas in left and right field. (Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations, Fowl Territory. The left field picnic area and stands adds 50 eight top picnic tables and all -you-can-eat seating.(Akron Rubber Ducks)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations, the Tiki Terrace. Located in right field the Tiki Terrace has added 191 premium picnic seats and a Tiki Bar made of bamboo. (Akron Rubber Ducks)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations, the Tiki Terrace. Located in right field the Tiki Terrace has added 191 premium picnic seats and a Tiki Bar made of bamboo. (Akron Rubber Ducks)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations showing the upper level above The Game which is now an exclusive special event, meeting, and private-party area called The Duck Club. A sliding wall of windows will allow for a barrier-free, open-air viewing experience sure to thrill fans. Flexible ticket options allow for a seating range of up to 150 people. (Akron Rubber Ducks)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations showing The Game Grill + Bar which is scheduled to open on Sat., March 22, 2014 and will occupy the South Main Street level space below the area formerly used by Wing Warehouse and Menches Brothers. This 4,000 square foot restaurant will be open year-round and will serve a full-scale breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. It features a complex system of folding-glass walls, which will open to allow fans a view of the action. (Akron Rubber Ducks)

Rendering of the Akron Rubber Duck's Canal Park renovations showing The Game Grill + Bar is scheduled to open in Sat., March 22 and will occupy the South Main Street level space below the area formerly used by Wing Warehouse and Menches Brothers. This 4,000 square foot restaurant will be open year-round and will serve a full-scale breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. It features a complex system of folding-glass walls, which will open to allow fans a view of the action. (Akron Rubber Ducks)

In the 15 months or so that he’s owned the ball club, Babby has changed the team’s name to the RubberDucks, installed a new scoreboard hailed as the best in Double-A leagues, spruced up the concourses and brought a renewed interest to the 17-year-old franchise.

On Tuesday, Babby took another step in revamping Canal Park. Come April 10, when the RubberDucks open their home season, fans will see the culmination of $5.6 million in changes to the old ballpark.

Fans will not, however, see a rise in the ticket prices for regular seating. They will stay at $5 and $9.

Taxpayers also shouldn’t feel the pinch since the construction costs, as outlined in an agreement when Babby bought the team, are paid through the team’s lease payments to the city.

“This is all about affordable, family fun,” Babby told reporters Tuesday. “Minor-league baseball is the epicenter of the community and Canal Park is our home.”

The centerpiece of the changes is a Main Street-facing restaurant called The Game, which will be open year-round serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Unlike the previous restaurants that were housed on the ballpark’s second level, The Game will be street-level on Main Street near East State Street. It is scheduled to open March 22.

In the upper-level area, where several failed restaurants once operated, the team will open the Duck Club, which will be available for special events and private parties. The standard stationary windows will be replaced with sliding glass windows that open to the field and allow fans to be closer to the action.

New for 2014 will be picnic-area seating sections along the outfield foul poles.

To accommodate the changes, about 1,400 seats were removed along the foul line in deep left field. Beyond right field, the aluminum, rarely occupied bleacher seats close to the foul poles, will be removed.

In left field, the aptly named Fowl Territory will offer two rows of premium seating with 360-degree swivel seats, special menus and a wait staff who will serve food to fans.

The Fowl Territory section will also offer 50 picnic tables that can be rented by corporations or families. An all-you-can-eat food option will also be available.

In right field, the Tiki Terrace will have 191 picnic seats. The area offers a tiki bar that seats 23 people.

The construction work will be performed, Babby said, by local laborers working for local companies.

When Babby bought the club after the 2012 season, he promised $3.5 million in ballpark upgrades. He also signed a 25-year lease to keep the team in Akron.

Mayor Don Plusquellic playfully said during the news conference that Babby broke his financial promise by upping the changes to $5.6 million.

“He really, literally, has worked nonstop since he came here to improve this facility and make it this family friendly, wonderful, exciting place to have affordable fun and enjoyment right here in downtown Akron,” Plusquellic said.